The Best Summer County Fairs In Pennsylvania
From the celebration of the Fourth of July during the Big Butler Fair to the 10-day extravaganza in York that originally started in 1765, there is a county fair happening in Pennsylvania every week from mid-summer to early fall. County fairs are quintessential summer entertainment, and some of the biggest and best of the state’s offerings bring people from all over the region to celebrate a rich history of agriculture, livestock, and community with contests, concerts, fireworks, food, and carnival rides. These six lead the pack for some of the must-do county fairs in Pennsylvania.
The Big Butler Fair - Prospect
Since 1856, one of the most well-known and well-attended county fairs has been the one in Butler County. It grew so quickly and so prominently that the event in the small town of Prospect came to be called the Big Butler Fair, which it is known as today. Often, the fair is scheduled to include the 4th of July within its nine-day schedule, allowing for a spectacular fireworks show that makes this particular event one of the more celebrated gatherings in all of Pennsylvania for Independence Day. As a result, much of the festivities, entertainment, and grandstand spectacle lean into the holiday.
People come from Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia to take part in this huge gathering, which includes fair staples like truck pulls, demolition derbies, and other competitions. Concerts fill out the entertainment card with big names every year, like Black Stone Cherry, Rusted Root, and Lonestar. Finding the fairgrounds is very simple from any of the major epicenters around it, like Youngstown, Ohio, Erie, or Pittsburgh. The Butler exit from I-79 puts drivers near the fairgrounds before reaching Prospect.
Lawrence County Fair - New Castle
Surprisingly, only about 20 miles west of the Big Butler Fair is the town of New Castle, where you can find a smaller, but equally impactful county fair for Lawrence County. These two do not compete with one another, with Lawrence County’s six-day event taking up the middle of August on the summer event calendar. The event continues to grow in size and grandeur year after year since it first began in 1954.
Those choosing to visit Lawrence County for the fair can expect an extravaganza like they might not have experienced before. Everything about this six-day fair is high-stakes competition and grand spectacle. In years past, the fair has brought down Motor-X Gold Cup Racing, Rough Truck races, and incredible feats seen by the Axe Women Loggers of Maine. With New Castle calling itself the “Fireworks Capital of America,” you can expect the fair to include a pyrotechnic display for the ages.
Washington County Agricultural Fair - Washington
Here, visitors can instead travel south from Pittsburgh on I-79 to reach Washington County and one of the oldest agricultural fairs operating in the entire country, dating back to 1798. The fair has evolved into an 8-day extravaganza with all of the classics of rural county fairs like demolition derbies, tractor pulls, livestock shows, and thousands of animals and agricultural exhibits.
The fair might not be the biggest draw on this list, but it has a far-reaching regional impact for Washington County, as well as neighboring and predominantly rural Greene and Fayette counties. The average attendance sits over 60,000 people, drawing in crowds these days. To arrive at the fair in style, though, check out the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, which, during fair days, offers a ride on an authentic trolley right to the fairgrounds.
Centre County Grange Fair - Centre Hall
Not last on this list, but last of its kind in the country, the Centre County Grange Fair has been a tradition of central Pennsylvania since 1874. What makes this entry unique is that it is a tenting fair, encouraging visitors to stay around the clock, many for the full nine days the fair now runs. What began as a small gathering of around 3,000 has evolved into a celebration drawing in 200,000 people, around 1,000 tents, and roughly 1,500 RVs. Many attendees consider the event to be somewhat of a summer pilgrimage not to be missed, as it incorporates the best aspects of a multi-day music festival, a county fair, and camping with thousands of friends and family.
Because the event relies so heavily on those setting up tents and parking RVs, the attractions and exhibits of the fair are spread out over the full 264-acre property. Connected by paths and roadways, many of the structures here are now permanent, including livestock barns, designated food vendor areas, stages, and exhibit halls. Visitors should get a map of the layout when they arrive to make sure they see everything beyond the carnival rides, games, and midway eats.
New Holland Farmers Fair - New Holland
One of the latest entries on this list, happening the last week of September into the first week of October, traditionally, the New Holland Farmers Fair offers one of the best gatherings in Lancaster County. This event has been happening in part since 1927, celebrating the rich agricultural history of the county today with a midway lit up with rides, food, and carnival games. This is a unique experience for people throughout the region because this fair happens right on East and West Main Street in the center of New Holland, and admission is free.
This community gathering has recurring competitions of its own to make use of its unique setting, like a fireman’s tug-of-war that’s been a staple since 1965, horseshoe pitching, and tractor driving contests sponsored by the FFA. Because New Holland is home to one of the largest manufacturing companies of agricultural equipment in the world, this is a celebration of farming, its people, and its livelihood, unlike a few other places in the country that can produce.
York State Fair - York
This is the oldest fair on the list, or the entire commonwealth, to be exact. The York State Fair, sometimes just shortened to the York Fair, traces its origins to 1765. While it began as an agricultural market, it has blossomed year after year to encompass 10 days late July into early August. In all, the previous attendance has been 460,000, as the event draws in plenty of visitors from Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey, as well as thousands of York County residents.
In its lifetime in York, the fair has moved multiple times, eventually reaching an 87-acre expanse that allows for tons of events over this packed ten-day stretch. Being one of the largest fairs of its kind in the commonwealth, the Grandstand concert series often brings in major pop and country touring acts. The event has a huge midway with dozens of amusement rides, games, countless food vendors, and even competitions.
These fairs offer vastly different experiences for those who attend. For some, there is a joy that comes with the traditions of long-running fairs in York and Washington. For others, it might be the demolition derby and the tractor pulls that are quintessential rural Pennsylvania in New Castle. Visitors will discover the roars of the crowds, the joyful screams of the riders, the classic funnel cakes, and other midway foods. The best county fairs of Pennsylvania offer an energy and experience that make memories that feel like summer, and these six deliver every time.
